The Benefits of Using a Credit Card for Holiday Travel

Tips For Best Holiday Travel With A Credit Card

Holiday travel may seem stressful due to airport crowds, long lines, and lengthy flights. According to Forbes, the 2022 holiday season will be the busiest ever since the pandemic began. It’s suggested to avoid the busiest days for flights which are December 22, 23, and 26. Some might even suggest using alternate airports to avoid crowds or traveling on the actual holiday.

However, with the right credit card benefits, you can potentially elevate your holiday travel experience for the better. Check out the benefits of using a credit card for holiday travel.

1. Decompress at an Airport Lounge

Decompress and relax at the airport lounge while you wait on your flight. With the right credit card, you will benefit big time during your holiday travel with the included lounge access. Airport lounges typically offer quiet and comfortable sitting rooms, free Wi-Fi, workspaces, and free snacks and drinks. Enjoy waiting around the airport in comfort while you mentally prepare for that long flight you may have been dreading.

Related Article: The Best Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access

2. Use the Complimentary Rental Car Insurance

If the holidays call for a rental car, don’t skip out on complimentary rental car insurance included with most credit cards. Car rental insurance is a common benefit of credit cards, and if you already have one might as well use it. When renting a car, car rental companies will offer four types of insurance. Credit cards typically offer a collision damage waiver, so you can waive the additional coverage at the rental counter and save money by using the right credit card for your holiday travel.

Related Article: What Is Credit Card Rental Car Insurance?

3. Board First with Priority Boarding

The anticipation of boarding and getting situated in your seat doesn’t have to be an added stress to holiday travel. Many airline credit cards have the added perk of priority or preferred boarding. For example, the United℠ Explorer Card offers priority boarding privileges to all its card members. Other cards like the Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® offer cardmembers preferred boarding, meaning they board after priority.

4. Ditch the Fees on Checked Bags

Holiday travel is better when you don’t have to pay for your checked bag. Luckily, an airline credit card will do the trick. Many airline credit cards offer a free checked bag as a benefit. Such credit cards include the JetBlue Plus Card. Cardmembers get a free first checked bag for themselves and three companions on the same reservation. So, if you’re traveling with family or a loved one, you can save some money on baggage.

Related Article: How to Choose an Airline Rewards Credit Card

5. Use Travel Protection for Unwanted Travel Surprises

Unwanted travel surprises like flight cancellations or delays, lost baggage, or other nonrefundable travel expenses can sometimes rain on your holiday travel parade. However, there are credit cards that offer travel protection to help protect your wallet when a flight gets canceled or if your luggage gets lost. Chase Freedom Unlimited, for example, has built-in travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Useful for when a trip gets canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, cardmembers can get reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares.

Bottom Line

Credit cards come in handy for many of our financial endeavors if you know how to use them. Ultimately, credit cards offer benefits that can ease the stresses that come with traveling to make for a better experience, especially during the holiday season. Travel better for the holidays with a credit card that will bring comfort to your travels.

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